Other Village Organisations

Use contact forms on the right of page to contact any of the groups mentioned.

Social Club

The Social Club run many great events during the course of the year including the annual Fireworks Display, Feast and Quiz Nights.

They also open the Village Hall at 8pm every Friday for Social Club members to enjoy the bar and good company, with every first Friday of the month being “Early Bird Friday” where children of members of any age are welcome between 6 -8 pm.

Keep an eye on the Events page for special events, of which there are many, taking place during the year.

Berden Choir is an enthusiastic group of singers, under the direction of Sue Williams. Although we meet mainly in the autumn and winter, to rehearse for the village carol service, we have also sung at weddings, Mothers’ Union/WI meetings and joined forces with the Drama Group for more light-hearted events. New singers are always welcome, and there are no formal auditions.

Contact Sue Griffiths (Secretary)

Berden Fete

Berden’s Traditional Garden Fete held in the glorious grounds of historic Berden Hall. Date for 2016 is July 16th.www.berdenfete.org.uk

Our Parish News covers the villages of Manuden and Berden, and is produced monthly. It is delivered to subscribers by a team of volunteers in each village.

The magazine features

Useful contacts for Clubs and local organisations

Church News and Services

Manuden News

News of interest to both Manuden & Berden, including events in neighbouring towns and villages and local information

Berden News giving “What’s On”, details of future social events, local interest articles and news, and often photos of various events in the village.

Advertising by local suppliers of a variety of goods and services – especially useful to those new to the area.

Andrew Nelson – Editor

Drama Club

Joining Berden Drama Group is not a “full time” commitment, we perform sporadically when we have time and motivation to do so, usually inspired by finding a suitable play. In the past we have performed everything from Midsummer Night’s Dream in the garden of Martin’s Green to murder mystery plays, plus pantos, evenings of one-act plays, and “plays for voices” which have the advantage of needing no scenery and much less rehearsal. Actors, stage crew, set designers and costume makers are always wanted.

Contact Sue Griffiths

Knit and Natter

Bring work in progress, or something you are stuck on, and between us we will see if we can assist. If you cannot sew/knit/crochet and would like to learn, someone will be happy to teach you. If you are not into craft work, and fancy the Natter rather than the Knit, homemade cake or biscuits are always welcome!

Knit and Natter will now be on the 3rd Wednesday in every month, starting on March 18th 2015, at 8pm at 30 St Nicholas Field. We are hoping to have a different craft “featured” each time, which may be a demonstration, or something we can all try. At March’s meeting there will be a chance to try origami, particularly if Sue can get to grips with it before then to show you how it is done! Do bring your usual knitting/crochet etc as well.

Contact Sue Griffiths

Women’s Institute

Berden WI was formed in 2003 and is now known as Women In Berden or WIB for short. We meet at 7.30pm on the first Tuesday of the month in the Village Hall. WI membership allows us to share group activities with other local WIs and to have the opportunity to join with both Essex and national members for meetings and outings. We also have the chance to attend courses covering many activities both locally and at Denman College, the residential WI College in Oxfordshire. Meetings generally begin with a speaker (subjects are many and varied to reflect the different interests of members) and continue with news updates before there’s time to chat with other members over a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit or two We are a very friendly group who are always pleased to welcome guests and new members, just come along to the Village Hall on the first Tuesday of the month or, if you prefer, contact our President, Ulla Flowers, on 777994 or use the contact form on this page for more information or details of a member living near you who could accompany you to a meeting.

Annual Croquet Tournament

We are keen to have more people joining in, especially as some of those who have played for years have left the village in the last few years. It is a game that is fun to learn and a good way to meet different people in the village.

For details contact, Mary and Andrew Nelson, Peter and Barbara Jester, Richard and Liz Little or send an enquiry via this website.